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Walker appoints attorney’s brother to Outagamie bench (UPDATE)

By: Eric Heisig//September 22, 2014//

Walker appoints attorney’s brother to Outagamie bench (UPDATE)

By: Eric Heisig//September 22, 2014//

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Gov. Scott Walker has appointed the brother of the attorney representing him in the John Doe investigation as a new Outagamie County judge, according to a news release.

Vincent Biskupic, a solo practitioner, will replace Dee Dyer, who stepped down from the bench Aug. 1. Dyer’s term was set to expire in 2018, and Biskupic will have to run in April for election.

Biskupic was Outagamie County’s district attorney from 1994 to 2003. He is the brother of Steven Biskupic, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin who is representing Walker in the probe over whether the governor’s campaign illegally colluded with outside conservative groups during the 2012 recall election. Steven Biskupic heads the firm Biskupic & Jacobs SC, Milwaukee.

An email attributed to Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said Vincent Biskupic was the only applicant who lived in Outagamie County. She also noted that Biskupic was recommended by Outagamie County DA Carrie Schneider, Sheriff Bradley Gehrinf and 22 other local businesses and community leaders.

Reached Monday, Vincent Biskupic said, “I didn’t ask any of my eight siblings for any type of reference or support letters during this process. I chose to enter the application process on the merits of 25 years in trial court work in civic and criminal cases.

“Some of my siblings lean Democratic, some lean towards a Republican view and some are independent,” he added. “As far as I’m concerned, none of them played a role in this process.”

Saying he was surprised by any speculation about his brother’s role having an effect on the process, Vincent Biskupic noted, “I received a wide vote of support from attorneys and judges in northeast Wisconsin.”

Prior to working as a solo practioner, Vincent Biskupic worked at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Madison. He also worked as a prosecutor in Winnebago County prior to serving as Outagamie County’s DA. He graduated from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in 1988.

Wisconsin Law Journal staff writer Dan Shaw also contributed to this report.

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